Coventry rally supports declaring racism a public health crisis

Jessica Lerner, Journal Inquirer, Manchester, Conn.
·3 min read

Apr. 17—COVENTRY — A dozen adults gathered at a grassy traffic island at the intersection of routes 31 and 44 Saturday afternoon to protest town officials' delay in declaring racism a public health crisis.

Near the Walgreens pharmacy, adults and teenagers stood holding homemade signs and flags with sayings like "Black Lives Matter," "It's not right to remain silent," and "Stop pretending your racism is patriotism" as cars zipped past.

For the better part of an hour, the protesters held their signs and flags with pride, waving as an occasional car honked its horn in solidarity.

At one point, a gray car pulled up and shouted a few expletives about the protesters' beliefs. In response, the protesters wished the driver and passenger a good day, and the car took off.

Linda Blakesley, one of the rally's organizers, said she and the other protesters were out there Saturday to protest racial injustice and police brutality, along with putting pressure on the Town Council to declare racism public health crisis.

In February, Blakesley asked the council to declare racism a public health crisis.

While the request is awaiting action by the council's steering committee, several residents wrote the council last week in opposition to Blakesley's request. Among the arguments made by the letter writers were that such a declaration would destroy and divide the town and that all lives matter.

By protesting, Blakesley hopes to garner some additional visibility and support among the community.

"There's absolutely instances of racial injustice in Coventry that people can speak, but what we really want them to do is to look at it from an institutional systemwide approach and really look at the policies, practices, and culture that exists within the town to improve racial equality," she said.

Catalina Veerasammy and her daughter Gabriella Veerasammy were among those who showed up at the rally.

Catalina Veerasammy said as one of the few people of color who live in Coventry, it's way past time the residents in the town stood up to demand the end of racism in the community, something her daughter dealt with when she was a student at the high school.

She said her daughter and some friends had organized a rally for similar reasons last March, but since then, nothing has really changed, prompting Catalina Veerasammy and her daughter to regularly protest.

Catalina Veerasammy said she would like the Town Council to acknowledge racism as a public health issue.

Gabriella Veerasammy, who graduated from Coventry High School in 2018, echoed her mother's sentiments, saying she would like to see change within her community.

Her favorite moments that happen during these rallies, she said, are when other young people of color come up to her and thank her for her efforts.

"When they see this in their hometown, it just makes them feel so supported," she said, adding that it's part of the reason she continues to fight for change.

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